Driver credits luck of draw

STOCKTON - Having the fastest qualifying time is nice, but not as nice as drawing a good starting spot for the King of the West 410 Sprint Series trophy dash.

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By Scott Niendorf

recordnet.com

By Scott Niendorf

Posted Aug. 4, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By Scott Niendorf

Posted Aug. 4, 2013 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

STOCKTON - Having the fastest qualifying time is nice, but not as nice as drawing a good starting spot for the King of the West 410 Sprint Series trophy dash.

Just ask Sacramento's Willie Croft.

Croft parlayed being on the outside front row for the Sprint Series dash into a victory to grab the all-important pole in the 30-lap main event in front of an estimated 3,000 fans Saturday night at the Stockton 99 Dirt Track at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds. The main event was not completed at press time.

"Qualifying (fast) is good for points, but getting a good draw is just as important," said Croft, who drew the No. 2 spot for the dash after the heat-race winners and top qualifiers exchanged envelopes for the drawing. "(The draw) can go your way sometimes, or it can go against you. Getting the No. 1 or 2 positions really makes your night go a lot more smoothly."

Carl Droivold of Grass Valley drew the dash pole, but Croft passed him on turn two and never looked back.

Croft had the fastest qualifying time of 13.677 seconds, with points leader Kyle Hirst of Sacramento (13.757) second.

Jonathan Allard of Chico, Corey Eliason of Visalia and Dominic Scelzi of Fresno took the checkered flags of their respective heats. Allard was second in the season points standings heading into the night, with Croft third hoping to move up.

Terry Decarlo of Martinez won the vintage hard tops main and dash events.

Racing was suspended for about 30 minutes during the hard tops main event when a vehicle strayed into the infield and reportedly struck a person taking photographs. The ambulance reportedly transported the victim to an area hospital.

Sprint drivers earlier passed through the stands with their helmets to take a collection for Peter Murphy, who had an accident July 20 racing in Antioch.

The King of the West series heads to the Reno-Tahoe-Fernley Speedway next Saturday and will return to Stockton for the series finale Nov. 2.